Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryAugust 4, 2016

Former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco, a registered Democrat who hasn’t made a habit out of endorsing other Democrats of late, did so Thursday by announcing his support for civil justice lawyer Augie Ribeiro in the Senate District 19 race. “I know Augie Ribeiro well. I know his family, I know his values, and I know his heart,” said Greco in a […]

Mitch PerryJuly 28, 2016

Florida Republicans dominate state government in Tallahassee, and in the state House, it’s not even close. Yet incoming House Minority Leader Janet Cruz says she “conservatively” believes the Democrats can flip six seats this coming fall, and — just as importantly — retain that number in 2018, beginning the party’s journey to finally getting close […]

Mitch PerryJuly 1, 2016

House District 63 GOP incumbent Shawn Harrison, always a strong fundraiser, continues to expand his fundraising lead over the Democrat he now knows he will face in November, Lisa Montelione. Fundraising totals from June 1 through June 24 were released Friday, and they show Harrison raised $9,400 during that period, while Montelione raised $6,360. Overall, […]

Mitch PerryJuly 1, 2016

America celebrates its 240th birthday Monday, and the 40th anniversary of the Bicentennial. I was a relatively young kid who doesn’t have a whole lot of recollection of that particular day (other than our family was on vacation someplace in Northern California), but I certainly do remember the yearlong hype into that summer. Two days […]

Mitch PerryJune 30, 2016

Battling in an extremely competitive election this fall against Lisa Montelione, House District 63 Republican Rep. Shawn Harrison has procured another Democrat to back his re-election campaign. It’s former Tampa Mayor Dick Greco. “I’ve had the honor to serve our city and region for four terms as mayor, over several decades. During that time, I’ve had the privilege to work with […]

Mitch PerryJune 24, 2016

One of the few Hillsborough County Democratic primaries in the state legislature, the House District 63 race between Lisa Montelione and Mike Reedy, ended Friday when Reedy dropped out of the contest. “I wanted to personally let you know that today I have decided to end my campaign for State House,” said Reedy, an organizer with Equality Florida, stated […]

Joe HendersonJune 21, 2016

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You can never take a moment off in politics, so when Lisa Montelione saw an opportunity Tuesday morning, she got busy. A frisky black bear had climbed up a tree about two blocks from her home in north Tampa. While authorities worked to safely remove the animal, Montelione was thinking ahead. “I told them they […]

Mitch PerryJune 20, 2016

The U.S. Senate voted on four different gun-control proposals last night — two offered by Republicans, two by Democrats. They all failed. First up was California Democrat Dianne Feinstein‘s bit, which would give the Department of Justice the power to stop anyone on the terror watch list from buying a gun. That garnered just 47 votes. Then […]

Mitch PerryJune 20, 2016

Frank Reddick has served with fellow Democrat Lisa Montelione on the Tampa City Council for the past five years, so you might expect him to back her in her race to win the State House District 63 race this fall. You might expect that, but you’d be wrong. On Monday, Reddick came out and endorsed Republican Shawn Harrison, who […]

Mitch PerryJune 16, 2016

Although Lisa Montelione announced last fall that she would challenge fellow Democrat Mike Reedy in the House District 63 primary election this August, she didn’t officially submit her resign-to-run letter announcing her departure from the Tampa City Council until last Friday. She wrote she was submitting her resignation with “a heavy heart,” and jokingly said Wednesday night that putting […]

Tag: Shawn Harrison

Dick Greco backs Augie Ribeiro in SD 19 race

Janet Cruz says she believes Florida Democrats can flip 6 House seats this fall

Shawn Harrison holds wide fundraising lead in HD 63 race

Mitch Perry Report for 7.1.16 — The wheels of justice move excruciatingly slow

Dick Greco is backing Shawn Harrison in the HD 63 race

Mike Reedy drops out of HD 63 race, meaning Lisa Montelione wins Democratic primary

Joe Henderson: When political opportunity knocks, Lisa Montelione gets busy

Mitch Perry Report for 6.21.16 — After gun control proposals go down, Bill Nelson says ‘The NRA wins again’

Democrat Frank Reddick endorses Republican Shawn Harrison in HD 63 race

Lisa Montelione anticipates ‘increasing’ public service by running for state Legislature